I had an opportunity last month to walk Seven Oaks Preserve Trail near Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden. This is part of Catawba Lands Conservancy’s Thread Trail and has been open to the public for about 22 months. The trailhead is less than a mile past the entrance to Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, as you head south on New Hope Road (Hwy 273) on the right. The trail is about 2.2 miles one way.

This is currently one of my favorite places to bird in Gaston County. The variety of species varies depending on the time of year and how vocal the birds are.

My list of species here ranges from about 39 into the high sixties. I totaled 48 species in one day.

To get the full benefit of a walk through the woods (anywhere really) you must learn to identify the birds by sound, as well as sight.

This is a transitional time of year for the birds in our area with neotropical migrants leaving and winter residents starting to arrive. Birds headed south or to the coast, that we may not have a chance at again until next spring, included Great Egret, Osprey, Chimney Swift, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Fish Crow, Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher, American Redstart, Northern Parula, Magnolia Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler and Indigo Bunting.

About This Blog

I had an opportunity last month to walk Seven Oaks Preserve Trail near Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden. This is part of Catawba Lands Conservancy’s Thread Trail and has been open to the public for about 22 months. The trailhead is less than a mile past the entrance to Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, as you head south on New Hope Road (Hwy 273) on the right. The trail is about 2.2 miles one way.

This is currently one of my favorite places to bird in Gaston County. The variety of species varies depending on the time of year and how vocal the birds are.

My list of species here ranges from about 39 into the high sixties. I totaled 48 species in one day.

To get the full benefit of a walk through the woods (anywhere really) you must learn to identify the birds by sound, as well as sight.

This is a transitional time of year for the birds in our area with neotropical migrants leaving and winter residents starting to arrive. Birds headed south or to the coast, that we may not have a chance at again until next spring, included Great Egret, Osprey, Chimney Swift, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Fish Crow, Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher, American Redstart, Northern Parula, Magnolia Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler and Indigo Bunting.